Tape applying



Nov. l5, 1949 v s. a. LINDsEY 2,487,815

l TAPE APPLYING Y Filed Feb. 27, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 5y. j Z/ L vgft---- i J i l IN1/Byron. 2f ivf/54 S. B. LINDSEY Nov. l5, 1949 TAPEAPPLYING 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27. 1947 Nov. 15, 1949 Filed Feb.27, 1947 S. B. LINDSEY TAPE APPLYING 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 w Ny INVENTOR.

S. B. LINDSEY TAPE APPLYING Nav. 1s, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb.27, 1947 s. B. I INDsEY TAPE APPLYNG Nov. 15, 1949' 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Filqd Feb. 27. 1947 IVENTOR. Wy

l ,47mm ,S

PatentedV Nov. 1 5, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAPE APPLYING sethB. Lindsey, Minneapolis, assignmto Minnesota Mining & ManufacturingCompany, St. Paul. Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application February27, 1947, Serial No. 731,296

11 Claims. (Cl. 21629) This invention relates to applying lengths oftape around the sides of objects.

It finds utility in the sealing of containers, such as cans or boxeshaving a cover that extends down a distance from the top, by applying alength of adhesive tape to the seam formed between the lower cover edgeandthe side of the container. It also finds utility in the labeling,marking and decorating of containers and other objects by applyingaround the sides of the objects lengths of tape bearing a .desiredimprint, trade-mark, design, insignia, number, color, etc.

It relates particularly to the `use of pressuresensitive adhesive tape(such as that sold under the trade-mark Scctch). In view of the strengthof pull required to withdraw such tape from the commercial supply rollsthereof in which it ordinarily comes, previous methods and devices havenot been entirely satisfactory due to the tape frequently pulling loosefrom the object before the operation is well started. The usual methodhas been to adhere the leading end of the tape to the object and then bymoving and at the same time turning the object, withdraw the tape fromthe roll.

Among other faults of prior methods and devices is their complexity.

Objects `of the present invention therefore include the provision of arelatively simple and inexpensive method and meansv for the eicienttaping of objects rapidly and continuously in packaging assembly lineswith reduced breaks and interruptions.

Broadly the invention provides stretching a length of tape across thepath of an object, advancing the object into contact with the tape, notat the end but at a point somewhat removed from the end of the tape,then advancing and at the same time turning the object, whereby tape ispulled from the supply and wrapped or wound around the object.

Adherence between the tape and the object thus extends over a relativelyextensive area of surface by the time any substantial pull is exerted onthe tape. The amount of tape contacting the object before the pull-offcommences is very large in comparison with prior practices.

The invention provides a carrier for projecting or moving an object in apath and at the sam'e time turning the object around its own axis, meansfor holding a length of tape across the path of the object so that theobject will contact it at a point behind the tapes leading end, andmeans for severing the tape after it has been wound around the object.In the present embodiment, the said carrier is -in the form of aturntable on which the object is temporarily held xed in relationthereto. Inl such an arrangement, even though the object is fixed inrelation to the table, turning the table has the effect of turning theobject about the objects own axis in relation to a fixed point outsidethe table, and at the same time changing the distance between the objectand the point. For example, if the turntable is turned the object thatis xed thereon will be thereby turned 180 about its own axis in relationto a supply roll of tape located beside the turntable at the startingpoint, and at the same time it will be moved or projected away from theroll.

The invention also provides means for forming a removal tab at thetrailing end of the tape.

The invention further provides a power driven mechanism for operatingthe machine automatically when an object is fed to it and for stoppingit automatically assoon as the object has' been taped.

sealing round relatively fiat cans, described hereinafter andillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the illustrative machine;

Figure 2 is a plan view;

Figure 3 is a front elevation;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the power drive below the base plate;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the turntable;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section of the turntable and the combinedtabbing and switch cam taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section of the turntable taken on the line 1-1in Figure 5, showing the roller arm cam in elevation; a

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are plan, front elevational and side elevationalviews, respectively, of the movable knife;

Figure 11 is a cross section of the tabbing tape feed chute taken on theline II-II in Figure 2;

Figure 12 is a wiring diagram;

Figures 13 to llvare positions I to V, respectively, of the feeding,sealing and tabbing mechanism in operation; and

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a can that has been sealed by theillustrated machine.

A supporting means or frame for the machine is provided in the form ofan oblong horizontally positioned base plate 26. At the center of itsupper side is positioned the mechanism that performs the actual feeding,sealing and tabbing 3 l operations. At either end of the base andadjacent the said mechanism are means for holding supply rollsof'adhesive sealing tape and of tabbing tape, respectively. Beneath theplate is a driving mechanism.

A motor 21, fastened tothe under side of the base plate 26 and poweredthrough a line switch 28, drives continuously a pulley 29 by means of abelt 30. A driving sprocket 3i moves in unison with the pulley'29, bothbeing fixed to a common vertical shaft 32. Aclutch lever 35 is journaledat one end onto the said shaft 32, carrying towards its movable end anidler sprocket 36. An endless chain 31 extends around the sprockets 3|and 36. At its said movable end the clutch lever 35 is pivotallyattached at 38 to the plunger or connecting link 39 of a solenoid 40,the latter being mounted to a channel bar 4I' that is fixed to the underside of the base plate 26.

The clutch lever 35 is impelled toward the left (Figure by a spiralspring 42 until it is stopped by a stop 43, in which position the chain31 that is carried on the lever 35 is disengaged from the largesprocket` 44. The lever 35 is impelled toward the right with sufficientforce to overcome the spring 42 by the solenoid 4U when the latter isenergized, until it is stopped by the stop 43, in which position thechain 31 engages the sprocket 44 so as to rotate it clockwise (Figure5). The stop 43 is a shoulder bolt fixed to the under side of the baseplate 26 and projecting through a slot 35a in the clutch lever 35.

Above the plate 26 a turntable 41 turns clockwise (Figure 2) in unisonwith the sprocket 44, the two being fixed to a common vertical shaft 48which is journaled into the base plate 26. Referring to Figures 5, 6 and7, the turntables periphery is flattened at one point in an irregularcurvilinear conguration to form a gate cam 41a. Near its center theturntable is pierced with an irregular elongated aperture 41h to permita sealing roller to extend upwardly through the turntable. To theunderside of the turntable is xed a combined switch and tabbing cam 49whose operating face registers with the circular periphery of theturntable 41. A roller arm cam 59 is also fixed to the underside of theturntable. The cam 50 has a succession of two operating faces 50h-56hfor depressing the roller arm.

Above the turntable 41 a tape anchoring collar 52 having a relativelyhard smooth surface is lcurnaled onto the shaft 48.

Above the collar, a horizontal clamp carrying arm 53 is xed to theuppermost end of the turntable shaft 48 and extends out over the surfaceof the turntable. To the outer end of the arm 53 is attached thehorizontally disposed cam clamping disc 54. The disc 54 is xed to thelower end of a vertical clamp shaft 55 which is slidably keyed in theclamp arm 53. A conical clamp spring 56 around the shaft 55 between theclamp 54 and the arm 53, is loaded to press the clamp downwardly.

Next above the clamp arm 53 on the shaft 55 is a traveling arm 51 thatis journaled onto the shaft.

Two clamp lifting cams 58-58 in the form of arcs are xed opposite eachother on the top of the traveling arm 51. Above these a horizontal clamplifting arm 59 is journaled to the vertical clamp shaft 55. The arm 59carries cam riding rollers 60-66' rotatably mounted at its two ends,respectively. Above the arm 59 a horizontal crank arm 6l is xed to theupper end of the clamp shaft 55. A vertical pin 62 extends fildownwardly from the outer end of the crank arm 6I so as to bear againstthe side of the clamp lifting arm 59 when the crank and 'the arm 51rotate in relation to each other. When arm 59 is thereby rotated so thatthe rollers 66--60 ride up onto the cams 53-58, respectively, thelifting arm 59 which carries the rollers pushes up against the undersideof the crank arm 6I and lifts the vertical clamp shaft 55, therebyraising the cam clamp 54. The spring 56 pushes the clamp back down againwhen the rollers 60-60' ride down olf from the cams 56-58. The clamp 54is raised and lowered once in each revolution of the turntable.

The said traveling arm 51 which is journaled at its one end to the clampshaft 55, is connected at its other end to tape cutting, wiping and canejecting members, which latter are carried on a horizontal oscillatingarm 63. The arms 51 and 63 are connected to each other by a, verticalshaft 64. The shaft 64 is journaled in the traveling arm 51 but fixed inthe oscillating arm 63. At its other end, the arm 63 is xed to avertical shaft 65 that is journaled into the base 26.

A knife assembly is attached to the moving end of the oscillating arm63. It comprises a knife block 66 that is fixed to the arm and a knife61 that is held against one side of the block (Figures 8, 9 and 10).lIwo screws 68 and 68' enter the block in opposite directions. They areboth threaded into the block. Screw 68 extends beyond the block but itdoes not enter the knife; its end simply bears against the inside sideof the knife. Screw 68 passes through the knife but not in threadedengagement therewith. Its head bears against the outside side of theknife. Two ball bearings 69 and 69' are placed between the knife and theblock, there being sockets in the block and in the knife to hold theballs in position.

The knife 61 is pressed toward the block by the head of the screw 68,but it is held spaced away from the block by the end of the screw 68'and by the ball bearings 69-69. This allows the knife to pivot slightlyaround the ball bearings when the screws are loosened, so that the knifeedge 61a may be positioned to the left or right by adjustment of thescrews 68-68'. The blade is ground so that its cutting edge 61a slantsrearwardly and to the left (from top to bottom of the blade, Figures 8,9 and 10). This provides a progressive point by point contact betweenthe knife 61 and the vertical stationary shear 10 with which it coacts,at a substantial pressure that remains in full force throughout the cut.

Can ejecting and wiping arms 1| and 1l are pivoted at 12 and 12',respectively, to the oscillating arm 63. Torsion springs 13 and 13 impelthem counterclockwise (Figure 2) about their pivots 12 and 12' againstthe stops 14 and 14' that are xed on the arm 63. The movable ends of thearms 1| and 1i carry free-turning wiping and electing rollers 15 and 15that extend downwardly with their axes Vertical.

A feed plate 11 is xed at the front of the machine in a, raised positionabove the base plate 26. It is flush with the turntable 41, and its rearedge is curved to complement the circular portion of the turntablesperiphery so that cans to be sealed can be pushed forward from the feedplate onto the turntable. The forward movement of such a can would bediverted to the left by a guide 18 which is fixed to the feed plate atthe right of the path of the can, and extends left- Wardly across to thecenter of the turntable. The

guide has a. can stop or projection 18a at its far or left end.

At the left of the path of the can a gate 19 is pivotally mounted to thefeed plate by a verpoint 19a that may be swung out over the turntable,and a switch engaging point 19h. A minor portion of the disc is bent toform a foot 19a which is at the same level as the feed plate 11 and theturntable 41 so that its point 19d will engage and follow the peripheryof the turntable 41, including 'the gate cam 41a. Movement or turning ofthe gate counter-clockwise is stopped by the said engagement of thepoint- 19d with the turntable. Its turn or swing back in the otherdirection (clockwise) is stopped by the engagement of the heel 19e ofthe foot with the edge of a notch 11a which is cut in the rear curvededge of the feed plate to accommodate the gate foot 19e. When the switchengaging point 19h of the gate 19 rests upon the contact wheel 8|a ofthe normally open starting switch 8|, the switch will be closed. Theswitch 8| is fastened to the upper side of the feed plate 11. Directlybelow it, the normally closed running switch 82 is xed to the under sideof the plate 11. A switch arm 82a extends out from the switch into thepath of the switch cam 49 that is on the underside of the turntable 41(Figures and 6), so that when it is pressed to the left (Figure 2)thereby, the switch will be held open. After the cam'49 has'turned pastthe arm 82a, the arm is released and the switch 82 resumes its normalclosed position. Y

A vertical guide roller 83 is rotatably mounted at the left rear cornerof the feed plate 11, around which the adhesive sealing tape T is ledfrom a supply roll R thereof that is carried on the freeturninghorizontal roll holding wheel 84, the leading end of the tape beinganchored by adhesion to the vertical tape anchoring collar 52 at thecenter of the turntable.

In back of the portion of the tape that is thus stretched across theturntable, is a vertical wiping or sealing roller 85 that is rotatablymounted on the end of a horizontal sealing arm 86. The arm is below theturntable and is pivotally mounted to the base plate 26 by means of vauniversal joint 81 for turning in any direction. The sealing roller 85extends upwardly through the turntable aperture 41h behind the tape.

The arm is impelled upwardly and to the left by a spring 88 which is xedto the arm and which bears against the base plate 26 and against theleft side of the shaft 48. It is impelled to the right by the pressureagainst the roller 85 of an advancing can. Movement of the arm 86 to theleft is limited byv the stop 89, to the right by the shaft 48. It isimpelled downwardly so as to withdraw the sealing roller 85 from infront of an advancing can after the roller has pressed the tape againstthe can, by the surfaces 50b-58b' of the cam 5 0 that is on theunderside of the turntable 41 (Figures 5 and 7). The surface 58h' of thecam lowers the arm suciently so that the upper end of the roller 85clears the turntable, after which the arm is held down by engagement ofthe upper end of the roller 85 with the under surface of the turntableuntil the aperture 41b has moved around 6 again to a point above theroller whereupon the arm 86 and the roller 85, impelled bythe spring 88,raise up with the roller projecting above the turntable.

The cans are fed to the machine by pushing them successively in a lineacross the feed plate toward the guide A18 by hand or by a carrier belt90. After being sealed they are removed by a chute 9|, at the entranceto which is a can guide 92.

The mechanism is here shown as encased in a housing 93 equipped with asafety switch 94 which is normally-open. A vertical pin 95 which isslidably mounted in the feed plate 11, holds the switch closed when itis held down against the force ofthe spring 96 so as to extend throughlthe plate 11 until it presses the switch point. The pin 95 is actuatedby the roof doors of the housing through a rod 91. When the doors areboth closed,'the pin 95 is pressed down by the rod so as to close theSwitch but when either door is raised to open it, the spring 98 willraise the pin and open the switch.

A bay 93a in the rear wall of the housing 93 accommodates the elbowformed by the arms 51 and 63 when they swing back in position III(Figure 15).

The above described mechanism is adequate automatically to sealand ejectcans that are fed to it.

The following described mechanism is for providing a removal tab in theform of a short length or tab t--I of of non-adhesive tape affixed tothe adhesive side of the exposed or trailing end of the length ofsealing tape that is applied to the can, thereby to mask the adhesiveover that area and ren'der the tabbed end incapable of adhering toanything so that it will be free for grasping by the fingers and thusfacilitate ready removal of the tape when the sealed canvis to beopened.

The can guide assembly 18 is constructed so as to serve also as aconducting channel or chute for the non-adhesive tabbing tape t. Anelongate shaft |88 which is of rectangular cross section throughout mostof its length (Figure 1l) is shaped at its left end to form on itsfrontside the previously described can stop 18a, and on its rear sidethe arm |00a (Figure 2). An elongate angle iron I8| extends around thebottom and rear sides of the shaft |00 for nearly the full length of theshaft. It is close against the bottom of the shaft but its uprightportion is spaced from the rear so as to provide a tape channel |82between the shaft |88 and the angle iron |0|. The said upright portionor wall of the angle iron |0| is pierced by an elongate aperture i |8Ia.The left end of the said upright portion extends forwardly to form thestationary shear blade 18 beside the guide arm |00a, the space betweenthem forming an extension of the channel |82 through which the tabbingtape is pushed -to emerge at the opening between the said arm |08a andthe shear 18. The shaft |00, the channel |02 and the upper edge of theangle iron |0| are covered for the greater part of their length by aplate |03.

A tab feeding wheel |84 projects into the channel |02 from the rear sideof the guide and chute assembly 18 through the slot |0|a. It isrotatably mounted on a feeding arm which extends along the rear of thechute. The periphery of the feed wheel |84 is knurled or ratcheted, anda pawl (not shown) is positioned Within the feed arm |05 so that thewheel may turn only in a clockwise (Figure 2) direction. Thus when thewheel extends through the slot ||a and its periphery bears against thetabbing tape in the channel |02, movement of the feed arm along thechute 18 to the right (in'a direction away from the center of theturntable) will produce no movement of the tapebecause the wheel is freeto turn in that direction and it will roll along on the tape; butmovement of the feed arm |05 to the left (toward the center of theturntable and toward the shear will move the tape in that directionbecause the wheel |04 will be stopped from turning by its pawl, and itsknurled or ratcheted periphery will engage the tape suiciently to propelit to the left through the channel |02.

The tabbing tape feed arm |05 is moved to the right by the force of theface 49a of the cam 49 on the under side of the turntable (Figures 5 and6) striking the lobe |06a of the tabbing tape feed lever |06 which ispivoted on the vertical shaft |01 below the feed plate. An upright pegor pin |08 fixed to the top of the feed lever |06 extends upwardlythrough an aperture |09 in the .feed plate and fits in a socket |05bthat is in the feed arm |05, thereby transmitting the movement of thecam actuated feed lever |06 to the arm |05. The socket |05b is shaped ina manner known to the art to permit ready removal of the arm |05 fromits connection with the headed pin |08.

The arm |05 is moved to the left by a spring ||0 attached to the canejector guide 92 and to an arm |05a that extends to the right from thefeed arm |05. The spring impels the arm |05 against the guide or chute18 and to the left until it is stopped by contact of the pin |08 againstthe side of the aperture |09 in the feed plate through which the pinextends.

A free turning horizontal disc holds a supply roll R' of the tabbingtape t, from whence it is led to the entrance to the channel |02 in theguide or chute 18.

Mode of operation A roll R of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape T ismounted on the supply roll holding Wheel 84. The tape (sometimesreferred to herein as the sealing tape) is threaded into the machine byleading vit from the roll around the front side of the guide roller 83with its non-adhesive side against the roller, and thence across theturntable 41 to the tape anchoring collar 52 where its leading end isreleasably held or anchored by adhering it to the rear side of theroller. As is well known, this type of tape may be removed from anyrelatively hard smooth surface to which it is adhered simply by pullingon the tape whereupon it will release its grip without leaving any ofits adhesive on the surface and without substantially disturbing its ownstructure.

The turntable is then rotated by hand until the switch cam 49 which ison the underside of the turntable, is in such a position (e. g., such asshown in positions IV or V in Figures 16 and 1'1) that it will press theswitch arm 82a and open the running switch 82. The gate 19 is turnedclockwise until it is stopped by engagement of the heel 19e of its foot19o with the notch 11a of the feed plate 11.

the switch point 8|a is disengaged so that the starting switch 8| isopen. The covers which form the roof of the housing are then closedwhereupon the pin 95 will be pushed down by the rod 91 so as to engagethe point of the safety switch 94 and close it.

The gate will then occupy the position shown in Figure 2, in whichv Theline switch 28 is next closed whereupon the motor 21 starts andcontinuously drives the endless chain 310i the clutch assembly; but boththe switches 8| and 82 are open so that the solenoid 40 will not beenergized and the spring 42 will hold the clutch lever 35 to the left indisengaged position.

A can C-I is then fed to the machine by pushing it across the feed plate11 at the front of the machine against the can guide 18whereby it willbe guided leftwardly until it strikes the can stop 18a on its right sideand the can engaging point 19a of the gate on its left side. Pressure ofthe can against the point 19a will impel the gate 19 counterclockwise afew degrees until the point 19d of the gate foot 19e engages theperiphery of the turntable 41, whereupon the gate will stop and the canC-I will be stopped and held by the can stop 18a and the gate point 19ain position I (Figure 13).

In this position the point 19h on the gate will engage the point 8|a ofthe switch 8| so that the solenoid 40 will be energized, whereupon theclutch chain 31 will engage the sprocket 44 and the turntable willcommence to turn clockwise together with the can clamp assembly whichincludes the can clamp v54. The can, however, will continue to be heldby the can stop 18a and the gate point 19a, and the turntable will slidepast underneath it; but by the time the clamp 54 has turned to where itis directly above the can C-I that is being held at the gate in positionI, the rollers 60--60' will have ridden down off their respective cams58-58, permitting the spring 56 to press the clamp 54 down onto the canso as to render the can C--I xed in relation to the turntable. At thesame time the gate cam 41a on the turntable 41 has by then turned towhere the foot point 19d of the gate 19 which is being impelledcounterclockwise by the pressure of the can against the gate point 19a,commences to follow the said cam 41a thereby permitting the gate to openand release the can (position l1; Figure 13). The can will then commenceto move in a circular path in unison with the turntable.

The can C-,| is thus advanced into contact with the tape T, soon afterwhich it contacts the wiping roller with the tape between the roller andthe can, the roller is impelled to the right around the curving side ofthe can as the can continues to advance, the pull on the tape tears itsleading end loose from its point of anchorage at the collar 52 and theroller 85 wipes it down smoothly around the can.

Shortly thereafter the cam 50v on the underside of the turntable turnsto where it contacts the roller arm 86 which carries the roller 85. Thearm rides down the slope 5017 of the cam until it bears on the surface50h' during which time the aperture 41b in the turntable turns past thewiping roller 85 so that when the cam 50 leaves off contact with the arm86, the upper end of the roller 85 will bear upwardly against theundersurface of the turntable until the aperture 41b turns around towhere it will again register with the roller whereupon the spring 88will cause the roller 85 to thrust upwardly through the aperture 41hbehind the extended length of tape T ready for the next sealing cycle,as shown in position V (Figure 17).

Meanwhile the can C-l continues to be advanced from position II in acircular path, thereby withdrawing the tape from the roll R and windingit around itself. In position III the arm 63 carrying the knife 61 andthe wiping and ejecting arms 1|-1|' has been extended to its outermostpoint, where the knife and the wiping and ejecting rollers 'l5-15'carried by the arms 1|-1I' on the arm 63 will clear the can as it turnspast them. As the can begins to move forward from position III toposition IV, the arm 63 is moved toward the can so as to press therollers 15-15 against it. This pressure causes the wiping and ejectingarms 1|-1|' to swing aroundthelr pivots 12--12' against their springs13--13 as the arm 63 continues to draw closer to the can, until the arms1|-1|' are cocked in position IV in readiness to wipe and eject the canC-l.

Also in position IV the clamp 54 has been lifted by the cams 58-58' landhas released the can which latter is now bearing against the can guide92 under pressure from the friction of the turntable sliding pastunderneath it and from the arms 1-|-1|'. It is also held by the uncuttape which then extends from the supply roll R, around the guide roller83, to and in adhesive contact with the rotatable anchoring collar 52,thence across the exit of the tabbing tape channel |02, past the edge10a of the xed shear blade 10, to the wiping and ejecting roller 15which is pressing it against the can around which the tape has now beenwound.

The movable knife 61 is about to close upon the coacting fixed shear 10and sever the tape. As the mechanism turns onward towards position V,the severing occurs whereupon the can C-l, impelled largely by theroller 15' on the arm 1|' but to a small extent by the roller 15 on thearm 1| also, is ejected from the machine into the can chute 9|. Thefollowing or succeeding portion of the .uncut tape is left extendingfrom the roll R around the guide 83 to the tape anchoring collar 52 atthe center of vthe turntable 41, to which it is temporarily adhered nearits leading end in readiness for the next cycle (Figure 17).

Thereafter the turntable comes to rest, the cam 49 having been now incontact with the switch point 82a so as to open the running switch 82and de-energize the solenoid 40, since shortly prior to position IV. Thegate will then have resumed the position shown in Figure 2.

If, however, a second can C-2 has been in the meantime fed to themachine, as by pressing it close behind the can C-I, the machine willnot stop at all but will begin a second cycle upon completion of the rstbecause as soon as the can C-l has been removed from the gateway 18a-19a the can C-2 will (as shown in Figure 15) take its place and functionto close the starting switch and continue the operation of the machinelike the can C-I did. v

Thus when fed by a succession of cans (as by the carrier belt 90'inFigure 1) the machine will operate continuously and automatically, butwill stop automatically when no further cans are fed to it.

When the trailing end of the tape is to be prothe anchoring collar 52which srrounds the turnftable shaft 48.

Shortly prior to the severing of the sealing tape, namely, at or shortlyprior to position IV, the surface 49a of the cam-49 on the under side ofthe turntable contacts the lobe |06a of the pearshaped tabbing tape feedlever |06 so that the latter is moved tothe right (Figure 2) around itspivot |01 and with it the tabbing tape feed arm |05. After the cam 49has. passed, the lever |06 and arm |05 move back to the left (by thespring ||0) whereupon a section of the tabbing tape t equal in length tothe stroke of the tab feed arm |05 is thrust outwardly beyond the exitof the tab channel |02 between the guide arm |00a and the blade 10 into.contact with the adhesive side of the sealing tape T which, at thistime, as shown ini Figure I6, is moving to the right across the saidexit. The tabbing tape is drawn along with it and adhered thereto,thereby forming a double web for a short distance. The movement of theparts is timed so that the two tapes stop feeding simultaneously. 'Ihecut is made through the double web a short distance back from the pointwhere the leading edge of the tabbing tape irst touched and becameadhered to the sealing tape, thereby forming a removal tab on thetrailing end of the length of'tape T that is adhered to the can, made upof a short length of non-adhesive tape t adhered to the adhesive side ofthe sealing tape T.

The turntable of the illustrated machine measures 8%," in diameter. Itis equipped and adjusted to seal round cans measuring 311;" in diameterand in height with tape. Cans of somewhat higher orlower heights can beaccommodated by the illustrated machine. The supply roll holding discs84 and I are adjustable as to elevation to accommodate varying widths oftape and cans of Varying height. Cans of smaller diameters can beaccommodated by designing the gate 19 so that the point 19a projectsfarther out towards the center of the turntable;

or the point 19a may be made adjustable by equipping it with anextension.

A model of the illustrated machine has been made which seals sixty cansper minute in daily factory use.

Without departing from the claimed invention, machines may beconstructed and operations pursued in which all the above nameddimensionsA and proportions may vary widely; the size, shape,proportions and kind of containers or objects being taped may varywidely; the width and kind of tape may vary widely; the parts,arrangements, proportions and materials used in the machine, and themechanical expedients may also vary. The machine that is illustrated anddescribed is simply an illustrative embodiment.

I claim:

1 A method for withdrawing pressure-sensitive adhesive tape from asupply roll thereof and applying it around the sides of an object,comprising withdrawing a length of the tape from the roll and holding itin an outwardly extended position by temporarily anchoring the leadingend at a point removed from the roll, moving the object into contactwith the adhesive side of the extended length between the point ofanchorage and the roll, moving the object away from the roll in an orbitaround the point of anchorage, removing the leading end from itsanchorage and pressing it against the object, temporarily anchoring thefollowing portion of the tape after the leading portion has been woundaround the object, severing the tape between the objectand the point of11 anchorage, and pressing the trailing end against the object.

2. In a. machine for applying tape around the sides of an object, meansfor supporting a supply of tape, means for holding a withdrawn uri-'-severed length of the tape outwardly away from the supply, carrier meansfor advancing the object irito contact with the tape at a point removedfrom'its leading end and for rotating the object about the objects ownaxis, and means for severing the tape after it has been wound around theobject.

3. A machine for applying tape around the sides of an object comprisingcarrier means for moving an object that is placed thereon in an orbit,means for rendering an object xed in relation to the carrier as thecarrier moves, means for supporting a supply of tape adjacent thecarrier, means for holding a withdrawn unsevered length of the tapeextended across the path of an object that is being advanced by thecarrier, means for moving the carrier in an orbit to advance the objectinto contact with the adhesive side f the extended length of tape at apoint between the end of the tape and the supply and thence onwardly inits orbit until tape has been thereby withdrawn from the supply andwound around the object, and means for severing the tape thereafter at apoint behind the portion that adheres to the object.

4. A can sealer comprising a turntable for moving a can that is placedthereon in an orbit, means for rendering a can iixed in relation to thetable as the table rotates, means for rotatably supporting a supply rollof tape adjacent the table, means for holding a Withdrawn unseveredlength of the tape extended across the Path of a can that is beingcarried by the turntable,

means for rotating the table to advance the can into contact with 'theadhesive side of the extended length of tape at a point between the endof the tape and the supply roll and thence onwardly in its orbit untiltape has been thereby withdrawn from the supply roll and wound aroundthe can, and means for severing the tape thereafter at a point behindthe portion that adheres to the can.

5. The device of claim 4 with wiping means for pressing the leading endof the held length of tape against the can as the can is advanced.

6. A machine for applying tape around the sides of an object comprisinga turntable, means for rendering an object that is placed thereony fixedin relation thereto as the table rotates, means for supporting a supplyof tape adjacent the table, anchoring means near the center of the tablefor releasably holding the leading end of a withdrawn unsevered lengthof tape extending from the supply across the path of the object to theanchoring means, wiping means for pressing the leading end of the heldlength of tape against the object as the object isadvanced, means forrotating the table to advance the object until the object has come intocontact with the adhesive side of the extended length of tape at a pointbetween the anchored end and the supply and thence onwardly into contactwith the wiping means until the end has broken loose from its anchorageand been pressed against the object and thence onwardly around theanchoring means until tape has been thereby withdrawn from the supply,wound around the object and come into engagement at a fresh point alongits length with the anchoring means, and means for severing the tapethereafter between the object and the anchoring means.

7. The device of claim 6 with wiping means for pressing the trailing endof the tape against the object.

8. The device of claim 6 with means for forming a removal tab at thetrailing end of the tape.

9. The device of claim 6 with means for forming a removal tab at thetrailing end of the tape comprising means for holding a supply ofnonadhesive tabbing tape, guide means for conducting a leading end ofthe tabbing tape into contact with the adhesive side of the sealing tapeat a point adjacent the severing means, and means operative in timedrelation with movement of the object to propel a short length of thetabbing tape into adhesive contact with the sealing tape shortly priortothe time at which the lfull length of sealing tape has been withdrawn.

l0. The device of claim 6 in which the means for rotating the turntableis a power driving means with control means for initiating rotation ofthe turntable i-n response to an object being fed to the machine, andcontrol means for continuing the rotation until the object has beentaped.

11. The device of l claim 6 in which the means for rotating theturntable is an automatic power driving means comprising a motor, anormally disengaged clutch for connecting the motor to the turntable, asolenoid for engaging the clutch. a gate for admitting objects to themachine, a normally open solenoid switch positioned to be closed by thegate to initiate rotation of the turntable in response to pressure of anobject against the gate, a gate cam on the turntable to open the gateand release the object after the rotation has commenced, a normallyclosed solenoid switch to continue rotation of the turntable, and aswitch cam on'the turntable to open the normally closed switch after theobject has been taped.

SETH B. LINDSEY.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Adams Mar. 14, 1944Number

